Three More Projects Coming Soon!

When a vegetation management project for fire fuels reduction is prioritized for MWPA's Work Plan, that's just the first step. The next step is to complete an environmental review process under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), or, if federally owned land is involved, review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Some projects require additional permitting from the respective jurisdictional agency. This can take months to years to complete, depending on the scope of the project.

MWPA “Core” projects are larger, cross-jurisdictional projects. MWPA finished CEQA review for 23 Core fire risk reduction projects during the 2021-2022 year which means member agencies can begin implementation (except in coastal areas where additional permits are required). Two Core projects also needed review by federal partners under NEPA as they overlap federal lands. Over the last year, MWPA worked closely with National Park Service (NPS) staff to make sure that MWPA projects were included in their federal processes.

MWPA is happy to share that our partners at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area have included the two following MWPA Core projects in their yearly Work Plan and completed NEPA environmental compliance for areas where vegetation management will be implemented this year.

The next step is for MWPA and member agencies to file CEQA compliance for the projects, with implementation targeted for fall/winter 2022-23.

The 2 projects that were on hold pending federal action included:

Federal portion of Tamalpais Valley/Homestead Fuel Break Project. This project will establish and maintain a defensible space zone around residential hillside communities in high fire danger zones along the perimeter of Homestead Valley Open Space and Golden Gate National Recreational Area lands. The project includes approximately 22.7 acres of fuel reduction on federal lands (6.5 acres for the current year) and another 28 acres of fuel reduction on non-federal lands.

The Highway 1 Evacuation Corridor Project will establish and maintain defensible space along the perimeter of NPS land that is directly adjacent to Highway 1 and the residential hillside community in the high fire danger zones of Muir Beach. This project includes approximately 37 acres of fuel reduction.

Meanwhile, much of the West Marin Evacuation Route Project has also been on hold, pending a permit application under the Coastal Act and the Local Coastal Program (LCP), a planning document developed by the Marin County Community Development Agency. MWPA worked with biologists for months to study and map the project area and submit an application to the County. The County held a public hearing on August 18, 2022, and the Deputy Zoning Administrator approved the application with some additional requirements. This project involves removal or thinning of understory species and dead and dying vegetation adjacent to certain roads in Inverness, Tomales, Bolinas, Stinson, Nicasio, Point Reyes, Olema, and the San Geronimo Valley including 14.3 miles within the coastal zone. The treatment will extend 10 feet from either side of roadways, and 15 feet above roadways to allow for easier access for residents and emergency services during evacuations. MWPA has connected with a number of residents to understand their concerns, and additional public outreach will occur. Implementation has begun for portions of the project area outside of the coastal zone. Areas subject to Coastal Act compliance will be implemented as early as fall 2022 once a permit is received.

Projects like these aim to reduce wildfire hazards, slow the spread of fire, and provide safer emergency evacuation for residents and access for emergency services. Since MWPA’s inception in March 2020, plenty of vegetation management for fire fuel reduction is either complete, underway, or ready to be implemented. This includes 286.8 miles of roadside evacuation route treatment, 2,694.9 acres of shaded fuel breaks and prescribed herbivory treatment, and 12 miles of fire road treatment.

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